Well apparatus



June 16, 1936. K. E. YOUNG WELL APPARATUSV Filed Feb. e. 1935 [I/ENTOR MEM ATTORNEY KCIII E. Youn Patented June 16, 193.6

UNITED STATE-s,

PATENT OFFICE This invention` relates generally to deep wells and specifically to oil wells.

After a deep weil has been drilled in certain formations, itis frequently desirable to utilize the energy of the natural gas inthe recovery of the oil. The conventional method of doing this consists in lowering a pipe having a screen on'the lower end thereof through the gas so that the screen is ysubmerged in the oil. The oil entering the screen at a high velocity carries the sand with it and the sand closes the openings in the screen. Another objection to the conventional method is that the gas soon enters the upper openings in the screen and passes upwardly, leaving the oil behind. 'I'his results inthe production of too much gas and too little oil.:

This invention has for one of its objects the provision of a method and apparatus to prevent the foregoing. 'I'he preferred embodiment of the invention in cludes means to reduce the velocity of the oil entering the outer screen, so that the sandy will not close its openings; and means to prevent objectionable escape of the natural gas, so that `its energy maybe more efficiently utilized to effect j the ejection of the oil.

The preferred embodiment.A also includes means whereby, 'when the pressure of the natural gas falls to a predetermined amount,.gas under artiicial pressure may beadmitted to the well to eject the oil.

The apparatus is also constructed so that the screen may be quickly and easily cleaned without removing it from the well.

- Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The preferred embodiments of the inventionare illustrated by the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one enibodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 2 a fragmentary ,40 sectional elevation of another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 a fragmentary sectional elevation of the third embodiment of the invention. In Fig. l the well casing is indicated at I.

It is anchored in the conventional manner as in '45 vdicated. at la. Within and extending downwardly from the lower end of the 'casing I is an outer pipe 2. Within-the outer pipe 2 is an inner pipe 3 and within the inner pipe 3 is a' tubing 4. 'Ihe outer pipe has near its lower end a screen 5 and near the lower end of the inner pipe 3 is a screen openings in the screen 6 is less than the total effective area of the openings in the screen 5. The screen 6 may, if desired, be made of a finer meshl than the screen 5. Flow lines 1, 8, and 9 are connected to the tubing 4, the space between the 5 tubing 4 and the inner pipe 3, and the space between the inner pipe 3 and the outer pipe 2, re-

spectively. In the pipe 'I are valves I0 and II; in the pipe 8 are valves I2 and I3; and in the pipes are valves I4 and I5. The pipes 1, 8, and 8 10A are connected together and the connections include valves I6 and I'I.

The total area of the openings in the screen 6 is less than .the total area of the openings in the screen 5. 'I'hls reduces'the velocity of the oil 15 entering the screen 5 and the openings in the screen 5 are, therefore, not closed by sand.

The openings in the screen 6 are below the openings in the screen 5 and the apparatus is so positioned that the openings in the screen 6 are 20 below the level of the oil. Therefore, only a small quantity of the gas is permitted to escape, the energy of the gas being emcllently utilized to eject the oil through the tubing 4.

In normal operation the valves I 5 and I3 are 25 closed vand the valves I0 and II are open. Now

if it is desired to clean the inner screen 6, the

valve Il may be closed, thenvalves I2 and I3 .and

I4 and I5 opened and gas under articial pressure may then be forced downwardly intothe space 30 between the tubing 4 and the inner pipe 3 outwardly through the screen 6 to clean said screen and thence upwardly in tlrie` space between the pipes 2 and 3 outwardly through the valves I4 and I5. 35

In Fig. 2 the casing is indicated at I8, the outer pipe at I9, the inner pipe at 20 and the tubing` at 2 I. A packing 22 is placed between the inner pipe 20 and the screen -23 of the outer pipe and above the screen 24 of the inner pipe. AThis arrange- 40v ment can be utilized after the pressure of the natural gas has diminished to a point where it is no longer eiective. Gas under artificial pressure may then be pumped down through the valves I4 and I5 (Fig. 1) downwardly in the space 45- packing 22 because the gas would, in that event, merely force the oil back into the sands. I! the valves I4 and I5 were then closed, the gas would escape through the-tubing 2|, leaving the oil in the sands except for that portion o1' the oil which might be accidentally brought up with it.

may be employed. For example, in Fig. 3 the casing is indicated at 25, the outer pipe at 26, the first inner pipe at 21, the second inner pipe at 28 and the tubing at 29. The screen 30 of the outer pipe has openings above the screen 3| of the first inner pipe, and the screen 3| of the irst inner pipe has openings above the openings in the screen 32 of the second inner pipe. The

opening in the tubing 29 is below the openings of the screen 32 of the second inner pipe.

Various advantages of this method and apparatus other than the above will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It will also be understood that many embodiments of the invention other than the embodi ments disclosed somewhat` diagrammatically by the drawing herein will at once occur to those skilled in the art, all being within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. Well apparatus including: an outer pipe having a screen; an inner pipe having a screen; the

total area oi the openings in `said inner pipe screen being less than the totall area of the openings in said outer pipe screen; some of the openings in said outer pipe screen being above the openings in said inner pipe screen; a packing between said outer pipe screen and said inner pipe immediately above the openings in said inner pipe and .said outer pipe. y

This' result could not be accomplished without thev inner pipe screen and below some of the openings inv said outer pipe screen;v4 a tubing within said inner pipe and having an opening below some of the openings oi said inner pipe screen;

-a valve between said` tubing and the exterior of said well; a valve between the exterior of said well and the space between said tubing and said inner pipe; and a valve between the exterior of It will be understood that any number of pipes within said inner pipe and having an opening below`some of the openings of said inner pipe screen; a valvel between said tubing and the exte or of said well; a valve between the exterior o1' said well and the space between said tubing and said inner pipe; and a valve between the exterior of said well and the space between said 3. Well apparatus including: an outer pipe having a screen; an inner pipe having a screen; some of the openings in said outer pipe screen being' above the openings in said inner pipe screen; a

tubing within said inner pipe and having an opening below the openings ofA said inner pipe screen; a valve between said tubing and the exterior of said well; a valve between the exterior of said weil and the space between said tubing and said inner pipe; and a valve between the exterior of said well and the space between said inner pipe and said outer'pipe.

KARL E. YOUNG.' 

